Maqbool Fida Husain, one of the most energetic icons of India, a National treasure who rose from humble backgrounds, passed away in London, much to the grief of millions of his fans. The formidable Artist, described by Forbes magazine as the ‘Picasso of India’, was an enigmatic personality, loved by many and yet misunderstood by several others. The news of his death must come as a sad moment for India and Indians who were hoping that this Art Icon would one fine day return to the beloved land of his birth.
Hussain’s saga will undoubtedly be a cruel reflection of our times and our society’s growing Intolerance. For an Artist whose contributions to India have been so immense, it was unfortunate that the last few years of his life got embroiled in so many raging controversies, many of them stirred purely for political reasons. The labels of ‘anti-Hindu’ made against him are ironical for in reality; Hussain had consciously chosen his entire life to be inspired by the colorful idioms and expressions of Hinduism. One decade spent drawing the Ramayana, another decade spent drawing the Mahabharata and in a career spanning seven decades, 50000+ paintings drawn, a majority of which were dedicated to Hindu Art, culture and its traditions. In fact, in one of his television interviews Hussain had narrated how, before he would embark on any major Project, he would paint a ‘Ganesha’, a form he loved the most; drawing in his illustrious career, hundreds of ‘Ganeshas’ in various creative shapes and forms. Hussain’s spirit, his energy, his enthusiasm and his love for the Indian Nation and its culture has truly been enormous. He is a true Indian who has brought immense honor to our country and to our civilization. The Indian art market would perhaps never have been as flourishing as it is now had it not been for Hussain. The Artist’s death is a monumental loss for India and leaves a huge void in the Artistic World. True justice can be done to this towering Artist by building an Art Memorial dedicated to his name, where his legacy lives on, inspiring generations to follow! Yours sincerely Sandeep Heble 9326129171